Welcome to the 2024 Maritime Beef Conference, the annual beef industry event providing education and networking opportunities for all in the beef industry.
This year’s conference is its first time as a biennial event. We introduced a new event last year with Beef Day @ Dal and next year will host Beef Day @ PEI, so the next Maritime Beef Conference will be held in 2026. This year’s program provides a broad range of topics that touch on many aspects of beef management today. And certainly, some of these are quite different from what we had to manage even 5 years ago. The speakers and their topics should provide you with some thought-provoking ideas to take home.
Take the time to visit the sponsors and exhibitors and engage with them during the conference, as they have continued to support this industry event through changes from in-person to virtual content back to in-person. Keep these valued partners in mind throughout the year as you make your business and buying decisions. Be sure to utilize the opportunity for networking like we used to do!
Most importantly, enjoy the conference!
Dean Manning Chair, Maritime Beef Council
1:00 - 1:15 PM
1:15 - 1:40 PM
1:40 - 2:30 PM
2:30 - 3:00 PM
3:00 - 4:30 PM
5:00 - 6:00 PM
6:00 - 7:00 PM
7:15 - 8:00 PM
Friday, November 8, 2024
Healthy Grass: GRAZING EXTRAVAGANZA
COFFEE BREAK in TRADE SHOW
Healthy Grass: GRAZING EXTRAVAGANZA CONTINUED
Maritime Beef Conference Cocktail Hour & Trade
Coastal Agri Commodities Dinner & Recognition
Weather Outlook: How Global Ocean and Atmos Sustainable Future Matt Makens, Makens Weather
Healthy Cattle & Profits: Sea Cows - Can Local Seaweed Lower Methane Emissions?
John Duynisveld (AAFC)
1:30 - 2:15 PM
Healthy Profits, Cattle & Grass: Beef in Canada Panel
Amie Peck (Public & Stakeholder Engagement), Ron Glaser (Canada Beef), Melinda German (National Checkoff Agency)
2:15 - 2:45 PM
2:45 - 3:00 PM
Healthy Cattle, Profits & Grass: Grazing Extravaganza Day Debrief Sally Bernard (Barnyard Organics)
Closing Remarks
CedricMacLeod NB Living Labs
Cedric is the Project Manager for the NB Living Lab, overseeing 25 commercialscale research and demonstration sites throughout the province. His role is focused on exploring costeffective Climate Smart Beneficial Management Practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration in NB’s agriculture sector. With a commitment to advancing environmental stewardship, Cedric leads the 5-year Living Lab project, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices and enhance biodiversity across their operations
CarolynMarshall NSFA
Carolyn grew up in Liverpool, NS, and now lives in Bible Hill with her husband and two boys Before she joined the NS Federation of Agriculture, she worked in research at Dalhousie University for over a decade Carolyn studied ecology and botany at Acadia University and UBC, then at Dalhousie, where she moved into agriculture and soil science. Now she is the Environment and Climate Change Manager at the NSFA where she oversees the environmental programs offered such as the Living Lab, Environmental Farm Plan, and Species at Risk
NickGreen PEI Living Labs
In 2015, Nick embarked on a transformative journey, breathing new life into his family's third-generation farm, Under his stewardship, the farm has blossomed into a thriving 40-head cow-calf operation. His commitment to sustainable agriculture is evident in his diverse approach to farming. While his primary focus remains on marketing feeder calves and offering pasture-raised, freerange freezer beef, Seeking innovative methods to optimize efficiency, Nick tirelessly works to minimize inputs and labor while maximizing the production of high-quality, weaned beef.
Stocking Rates & Density
Whipped Yukon Gold Potato &
ad McCallum
The Environmental Stewardship Award
2022: MacLeod Agronomics, NB
2023: Kingston View Farms, PEI
2024: Holdanca Farms, NS
Provincial Awards
Bob Colpitts Award: Brenda MacLoon, NB
Brian Morrison Award: John Colwill, PEI
Producer of the Year: Brendan MacKinnon, NS
Followed by Keynote Speaker, Matt Makens
Atlantic Stockyards Hospitality Suite in Beausejour A
WEATHER OUTLOOK
Matt Makens
Makens Weather
How Global Ocean and Atmosphere Patterns Impact Our Sustainable Future
Matt Makens has presented thousands of weather forecasts and outlooks to dozens of industries since the 1990s. With a specific focus, Matt formed Makens Weather to provide actionable weather and climate information, clearly communicated. The primary focus is on long-term seasonal forecasts and short-term weather hazards for the agricultural industry. Makens Weather serves global clients from Australia to Canada and throughout the United States, notably CanFax, a part of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. He and his wife, Hillary, an executive in the U.S. beef industry, live in Douglas County, Colorado, where they are raising their two children.
“We will look at the current phase of the oceans and atmosphere, including La Niña’s impact, with a perspective we will apply to the future. We will go well beyond weather outlooks for the next few months with how long-term climate cycles drive drought patterns across Canada. Attendees will leave knowing not just the near-term weather but also how the weather in the decades to come may impact our development, innovation, and adaptation strategies as we grow a more sustainable future for our industry.”
Reynold Bergen
2024 Canadian Cow-Calf Survey
Beef Cattle Research Council
Reynold has been the Beef Cattle Research Council’s Science Director since 2010. He explains research to cattle producers and explains cattle producers to researchers.
JennaSarich
2024NationalBeefSustainabilityAssessment
Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
Jenna works as the Technical Consultant and Analyst for the CRSB, disseminating the National Beef Sustainability Assessment and providing technical expertise to the CRSB.
GROWING THE HERD
Dr. Lisa Freeze
NBDAAF Veterinary Service
Through Reproductive Efficiency
Lisa grew up in the Sussex, NB area on a farm with dairy and beef cattle She attended the NSAC, as well as the AVC and graduated in 2006. She has been working in Moncton and Sussex offices of the NB Department of Agriculture since then. Special vet interests include calvings, castrations and working with draft horses. Hobbies include beef farming, dairy farming and a hobby farm of horses, sheep, goats and rabbits.
STEVE DUFF
Maritime Cattle & Crops
Farmer Chair - Farm Management Canada
Coming from a dairy and beef background in Ontario’s Northumberland county, Steve is an Ontario Agricultural College ‘94 grad who completed a Masters in Ag Economics from the Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics (FARE) department at the University of Guelph in 1996 Steve joined the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) in late 1997 after a year as a policy researcher within FARE for the Dairy Farmers of Ontario
Saturday, November 9 10:30 - 11:15 AM
During this time, Steve chaired several federal-provincialterritorial committees, including the Business Risk Management (BRM) advisory committee, the BRM administrators committee and is currently the co-chair of the Farm Income Forecasting Committee. Steve is currently OMAFRA’s Chief Economist. Since 2011, Steve has been an Adjunct Professor in the FARE department teaching 4th year Agricultural Policy analysis In 2016, Steve was the recipient of the first FARE distinguished alumnus award. Steve and his wife, Robyn, operate a beef and cash crop farm near Colborne, Ontario.
AMY HIGGINS
Maritime Livestock Price Insurance
Agri-Commodity Management Association
Amy grew up and is still involved on her family’s purebred Angus farm in Quispamsis, NB Amy joined ACMA in February 2023 after working with the Maritime Beef Council as their sole staff member. Prior to the MBC, Amy spent 13 years in various spots of agricultural retail with an emphasis on crop inputs and grain/oilseeds production and logistics in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Amy holds a B.Sc (Agr) from the former NSAC, a certificate of Crop Production from the U of S, a B A from Brandon University and is a Certified Crop Advisor. Amy also has sat on the board of the Maritime Angus Association since 2017 and was a part of the Cattlemen’s Young Leader class of 2019.
Saturday, November 9 11:45 AM - Noon
MattMakens
Makens Weather
Matt Makens has presented thousands of weather forecasts and outlooks to dozens of industries since the 1990s. With a specific focus, Matt formed Makens Weather to provide actionable weather and climate information, clearly communicated The primary focus is on long-term seasonal forecasts and short-term weather hazards for the agricultural industry. M k W th l b l li t
SteveDuff Farm Management Canada
Coming from a dairy and beef background in Northumberland county, Ontario, Steve is an Ontario Agricultural College ‘94 grad who completed a Masters in Ag Economics from the FARE department at the University of Guelph in 1996. Steve joined OMAFRA in late 1997 after a year as a policy researcher within FARE for the Dairy Farmers of Ontario. He is urrently OMAFRA’s Chief Economist nd, since 2011, has been an Adjunct ofessor in the FARE department aching 4th year Agricultural Policy nalysis.
AmyHiggins dity Management Association ator
John Duynisveld
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
John Duynisveld, Research Biologist, Nappan Research Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada John Duynisveld has been a beef researcher in AAFC Nappan for 21 years. On-going research includes the effect of forage species on beef productivity, the effect of bio-active forages on animal production, and extending the grazing season. His family farm raises grass-fed beef, sheep, and pork, and free range chickens and turkeys. Between his research career and cattle herd at home, John has been using fall and winter grazing for over 19 years.
MelindaGerman National Check Off Agency
Melinda’s role is to oversee the Agency and the administration of check-off, to ensure transparency and prudency She is the key lead staff for both the Agency’s board and staff, and manages the operations of the Agency as a whole Melinda’s strong background in the beef industry is beyond valuable when it comes to ensuring that the Canadian beef industry is seeing a return on check-off investment, and she is a positive and passionate leader for the Agency. Outside of work, Melinda likes to spend her time on course swinging golf clubs, and spend time with her family at the farm near Kindersley, Saskatchewan
AmiePeck PSE
Amie leads the Public and Stakeholder Engagement (PSE) team, which works to increase public trust in the Canadian beef industry by supporting industry synergies, forming strategic partnerships and connecting positively with consumers and the public Her love of agriculture and the beef industry was grown through a role at Diamond 7 Ranch, a cow-calf operation west of Calgary, AB In a position that mixed marketing and administration duties with boots-on-the-ground work, she became invested and passionate about the future of Canadian beef production
Moderator:BradMcCallum National Check Off Agency
Manager, Compliance and Education
Ro Ca
For the past 25 years, Ron Glaser has been a communications professional specializing in the agriculture and agri-food sector. In July 2011, he became VP, Corporate Affairs and Operations for the newly formed Canada Beef Ron and his team oversee consumer and stakeholder communications, media relations, public affairs and operations for Canada Beef. He is also a member of the Executive Leadership Team which sets the organization’s direction in the execution of the strategic plan and business plan. Ron graduated from Mount Royal College in Calgary with a diploma in public relations
Sally Bernard DEBRIEFING
Sally Bernard grew up on a beef and sheep farm in southeast NB and now lives on an organic grain, livestock and feed operation in Freetown, PEI with her husband and four kids. Ever curious about soil health and how to regenerate soil while relying on tillage in an organic system, led to Sally adding a small herd of Belted Galloway cattle to their farm. She manages an intensive adapted rotational grazing system with twice daily moves and is always eager to learn more about what other producers are doing on their farms and ranches. Her curiosity led her to Nuffield Canada where she was selected as a contemporary scholar for 2024, travelling around the world learning about livestock integration in cropping systems.
